Console assembly for a vehicle

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a console assembly for a passenger seating area of a vehicle.

2. Background Art

Vehicle manufacturers continue to develop storage containers and devices for the passenger compartments of vehicles to accommodate occupant's personal items and automotive components. Several current storage containers are designed to fit within specified areas of the passenger compartment and allow limited access to items stored therein.

Many automotive vehicles include a center console or other storage device disposed between the driver and passenger seats in the front passenger compartment of the vehicle. These consoles typically comprise a console base either secured to the floor or pivotally connected between the seats, a storage cavity formed in the console base to retain items during travel and an armrest pivotally connected to the console base extending generally horizontally across the storage cavity.

Armrests are incorporated into vehicles for ergonomic reasons and comfort and convenience of both drivers and passengers. Armrests may be attached to or integrally formed as part of an interior door panel, a seat assembly, an overhead console, a center console, an instrument panel, a floor system, or any other interior panel.

It is desirable to make console assemblies reconfigurable by integrating various components in a storage area below an armrest. However, many of these components are limited in use to passengers seated in distinct positions of the passenger seating area. It would be advantageous to provide a console assembly having a reconfigurable component usable throughout the vehicle seating area. It would also be advantageous to provide a storage console assembly for a vehicle which offers a wide variety of storage options while allowing access to items stored therein to most occupants of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a console assembly disposed between a pair of passenger seats in a passenger seating area. The console assembly comprises a console assembly configured for use in a passenger seating of a vehicle includes a lower console module extending generally horizontally adjacent a floor of the passenger seating area and an upper console module disposed adjacent and operatively connected to the lower console module. The upper console module is adjustable between at least a first position adjacent a top surface of the lower console module and a second position adjacent a rear surface of the lower console module.

In another aspect of the present invention, a console assembly is disposed between a pair of front passenger seats adjacent a rear portion of a passenger seating area. The console assembly includes a lower console module extending generally horizontally between the pair of front passengers seats having a base securable to a floor of the passenger seating area, a front surface, a rear surface and opposing side surfaces extending between the front and rear surfaces. The lower console module includes one or more channels formed therein and one or more storage compartments accessible through the opening in a top surface of the lower console module.

An upper console module is disposed adjacent and operatively connected to the lower console module through the one or more channels in the lower console module. The upper console module includes an armrest pivotally connected to and extending at least partially over a storage compartment formed in the upper console module. The upper console module is adjustable between one or more generally horizontal positions disposed adjacent a top surface of the lower console module and a generally vertical position disposed adjacent a rear surface of the lower console module such that the upper console module is accessible to the rear passenger seating area when moved to the generally vertical position.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated and better understood after reading the subsequent description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a passenger seating area of a vehicle having a console assembly in accordance with the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side elevational view of the passenger seating area incorporating a console assembly in accordance with the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a rear perspective view of the passenger seating area with a upper console module placed in a forward position;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a side elevational view of the passenger seating area with the upper console module placed in a forward position;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a rear perspective view of the passenger seating area with the upper console module moved to a rear position; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a side elevational view of the passenger seating area with the upper console module moved to a rear position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the Figures, a console assembly for use in the passenger seating area <b>10</b> of a motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. It is understood that the console assembly may be a stand alone console disposed in the passenger seating area. Alternatively, the console assembly may be used in either the front or rear passenger seating areas. For purposes of this disclosure, the console assembly will be installed in the front passenger seating area.

In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for a number of constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, console assembly <b>10</b> is disposed between a pair of passenger seats <b>12</b>, <b>14</b> and includes a lower console module <b>16</b> having a base <b>18</b> configured for securement to the floor <b>20</b> of the passenger seating area of the vehicle. The base of console housing may also be connected to one or more vehicle seats. A pair of side surfaces <b>22</b> extend generally upward from base <b>18</b> and are preferably disposed adjacent the pair of passenger seats <b>12</b>, <b>14</b>. It is understood that the console housing may be positioned anywhere within the passenger seating area of the vehicle.

Referring additionally now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, lower console module <b>16</b> further includes a front surface <b>24</b> disposed generally adjacent a dashboard or instrument panel <b>26</b> or other forward portion of the vehicle and an opposing rear surface <b>28</b> that may be accessible by occupants in a rear passenger seating area <b>30</b> of the vehicle. It is understood that the front surface <b>24</b> of the lower console module may be configured to include one or more storage compartments or cavities adapted to receive and secure personal items.

As is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>, the lower console housing <b>16</b> may include one or more storage compartments <b>32</b>. Storage compartments <b>32</b> may be formed into various geometries to accomplish a variety of function, such as storage bins or beverage container or cup holders. A door or cover <b>34</b> may be slidably mounted above the storage compartments <b>32</b> to at least partially cover compartments <b>32</b>.

It is understood that the lower console module or housing may also include a floor or transmission tunnel having one or more storage compartments or recesses formed therein configured to receive and secure passenger personal items, such as purses, cell phones or sunglasses. It is also contemplated that vehicle components, such as garage door openers, media components and the like may be positioned within the lower console housing.

Referring back to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, console assembly <b>10</b> further comprises an upper console module <b>36</b> that is disposed adjacent and is operatively connected to the lower console module <b>16</b> between passenger seats <b>12</b>, <b>14</b>. As will be described in greater detail below, upper console module <b>36</b> is operatively connected to the lower console module <b>16</b> through openings or channels <b>38</b> provided in the side surfaces <b>22</b> of the lower console module <b>16</b>. Console assembly <b>10</b> is configured to allow access to the upper console module <b>36</b> depending upon the position of module <b>36</b> by both front and rear seat occupants in the passenger seating area of the vehicle.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, upper console module <b>36</b> may be formed as an armrest configured to support an occupant's appendage or one or more items thereon. In one aspect of the present invention, the armrest is covered with a standard seating material to coordinate with the seating area of vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, a polymeric insert is placed on armrest. The polymeric insert may include molded recesses adapted to receive and store various items, including liquid containers, sunglasses and the like.

In another aspect of the present invention, upper console module <b>36</b> includes a storage cavity <b>40</b> disposed within the console module housing. An armrest <b>42</b> is pivotally connected to the module by a hinge <b>44</b>. Armrest <b>42</b> cooperates with and extends at least partially over the storage cavity <b>40</b> in module <b>36</b>. Armrest <b>42</b> is positionable between a stowed position disposed at least partially adjacent a top surface of the module <b>36</b> and storage cavity <b>40</b> and a deployed position extending away therefrom.

The upper console module <b>36</b> of the console assembly <b>10</b> of the present invention is shown in a forward deployed position in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>. Upper console module <b>36</b> is translated forward from a position adjacent the front passenger seat <b>12</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> to a position forward of the passenger seat <b>12</b>. When the upper console module <b>36</b> is moved to a forward position, storage compartments provided in the lower console module <b>16</b> may be accessible to occupants in the rear passenger seating area of the vehicle.

In one aspect of the present invention, one or more handles <b>46</b> are provided on side surfaces <b>48</b> of the upper console module <b>36</b>. Handles <b>46</b> allow occupants in the forward passenger seating area to move the upper console module <b>36</b> forward relative to the lower console module <b>16</b>. In another aspect of the present invention shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a front surface <b>50</b> of upper console module <b>36</b> includes a projection <b>52</b> that is configured to allow a user to grip the front surface <b>50</b> to move the upper console module <b>36</b> forward relative to the lower console module <b>16</b>.

It is also contemplated that the console assembly may include an electromechanical solution that assists in the movement of the upper console module relative to the lower console module. For example, one or more switches may be provided on the top and rear surfaces of the lower console module or other part of the vehicle which allow occupants of the front or rear passenger seating areas to activate a motor. Once activated, the motor would cause portions of the upper console module connected to one or more guide rails to translate the upper console module forward and rearward relative to the lower console module.

Upper console module <b>36</b> is operatively connected to the lower console module <b>16</b> by openings <b>38</b> extending through side surfaces <b>22</b> of the lower console module <b>16</b>. In one aspect of the present invention, one or more guide rails cooperate with the openings in the side surfaces of the lower console module to receive portions of the upper console module which allow the upper console module to move along the one or more guide rails.

It is understood that the number and position of the guide rails and openings can be determined based on design and performance characteristics. For example, guide rails and openings may be provided on a top surface of the lower console module while performing the same functions. Further, it is contemplated that the guide rails may include stops which allow vehicle occupants to position the upper console module <b>36</b> in discrete positions relative to the lower console module <b>16</b>. Alternatively, openings <b>38</b> may function to receive portions of the upper console module <b>36</b> and allow module <b>36</b> to move forward and rearward relative to the lower console module <b>16</b>.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>, lower console module <b>36</b> is shown in a rear deployed position adjacent a rear surface <b>28</b> of the lower console module <b>16</b>. In this position, armrest <b>42</b> is positioned adjacent rear passenger seating area <b>30</b>. An occupant of rear passenger seating area <b>30</b> may access items stored within storage cavity <b>40</b> if handle <b>54</b> armrest <b>42</b> is opened and pivoted away from upper console module <b>36</b>.

Upper console module <b>36</b> is translated rearward from a position adjacent the front passenger seat <b>12</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> to a position adjacent the rear passenger seating area <b>30</b> by adjusting upper console module <b>36</b> along openings <b>38</b> in lower console module <b>16</b>. The upper console module <b>36</b> can be returned to a first position adjacent the top surface of the lower console module <b>16</b> by occupants in the rear passenger seating area <b>30</b> by grabbing handles <b>46</b> on the side surfaces of the upper console module <b>36</b>.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.